The late departure of the ship follows the air-lifting of ten affected passengers (among them three children) to hospital care in Brisbane and Noumea, according to P&O spokesman David Jones.

Pacific Dawn is on her way to Isle of Pines, the next scheduled port of call in her itinerary. The one-day delay due to the incident means that the ship did not make the scheduled visit to Mystery Island.

Jones said the remaining cruisers onboard the ship had been “fantastic” in light of the situation.

Jones confirmed that the air-lifted passengers had been stabilised before being airlifted and “well cared for” by Port Vila health services. He explained.